Apparatus for making master printing plates



July 2 3, 1935 H. w. HETHERINGTON 2,009,262

APPARATUS FOR MAKING'MASTER PRINTING PLATES Filed March 6, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 a v v -Tim a $74;

J y 3 4 H. w. HETHERINGTON 2,009,262

APPRATUS FOR MAKING MASTER PRINTING PLATES July 23, 1935.

H. W. HETHERINGTON APPARATUS FOR MAKING MASTER PRINTING PLATES Filed March 6, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m a LMQM July 23, 1935- H. w. HETHERINGTON APPARATUS FOR MAKING MASTER PRINTING PLATES Filed March 6, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 23, 1935 APPARATUS FOR MAKING MASTER PRINTING PLATES Herbert W. Hetherlngton, Cranston, R. L, as-

signor to The J. C. Hall 00., Providence, R. I.,

a corporation of Rhode Island Application March 6, 1933, Serial No. 659,649

15 Claims.

My invention relates to a novel type of apparatus and method for use in making master printing plates by facilitating the assembly of a copy for printing purposes, either by relief, etching, lithe graphic or offset processes, to shorten the time required for preparation and thereby to limit the expense of same in the manufacture of plates used in the various printing processes.

My invention includes a frame having transparent figure or insignia supporting means and assembled opaque lettering, borders, rules, figures, trade-marks or other material commonly used in printing processes in either printed, lithographed, drawn or photographed form, preferably mounted on a transparent or translucent background.' While the opaque figures may be mounted on any suitable material, I preferably mount them on transparent or translucent cards, which in turn are mounted within a transparent area. by suitable transparent means, such as transparent supporting rods.

For these purposes I provide a suitable camera having the usual lens and sensitized medium such as film or plate to take a picture of. the assembly of printing forms and in front of the lens of said camera I mount a tunnel. In front of the lens in said tunnel I mount the opaque figures, which are preferably mounted on a stand also contained within the tunnel.

In my preferredembodiment for making dark figures, I preferably employ a light source behind the figures so that the figures may more boldly stand out and be projected on to the film through the lens of the camera. So far as I am aware I am the first in a device of this description to project'opaque figures through a camera lens and then on a sensitized film by means of a light source located behind the figures and I am thus enabled to project sharper representations of the figures than hitherto thought possible by reflected light. Where these figures are projected by a light source located behind them, I preferably also diffuse the light which permits direct reflections from said cards and/or figure supports from being visible on the negative and I preferably do this by employing a translucent screen interpcsed between the light source and figures and may if desired mount the opaque figures on translucent cards so as to prevent direct reflection from the edges or sides thereof.

I may if desired, make the opaque figures light reflecting asby dusting light reflecting material thereon and in this case if the light is placed in front of the figures they will reflect white and 'I may put a dark background behind the transmeans so that the figures will appear white ,a-gainst the dark background on the'sensitive medium, thereby with the same cards, supporting means, etc. Providing a reversibility of type, such as for black on white and white on black and make the same apparatus suitable either for transmission or reflection of light for interchangeability and versibility of type.

My invention therefore, not only includes the combination of a camera mounted in a suitable tunnel and transparent supporting means for opaque figures in a transparent area within said tunnel and a light source either in front or behind said supporting means for the purposesheretofore described, but particularly includes specific types of means I preferably employ for mounting the opaque figures within said transparent area. For this purpose I provide laterally adjustable posts and means to mount transparent rods at selectively higher intervals on said posts with a small amount of space between the adjustable positions of said rods and said posts. As my invention specifically includes both the laterally and vertically adjustable features of the supporting rods and means, the cards are all adapted to be hung in a single plane so that the type will appear evenly on the sensitized medium.

A further feature of my invention relates to the specific type of cards I preferably employ and means I employ for mounting them on the transparent rods. I preferably employ a plurality of cards one for each figure and in making up standard sized type a plurality of alphabets, including large and small letters may be employed. If desired borders or frames, such as is desired in making up checks may also be provided for mounting on said transparent rods. In order that the type may appear even when the film is taken, I preferably space the bottom of the figures equi-distantly from the bottom of the cards on all cards employed, so as to insure that the printing will always be in a straight line. Itis also apparent that my stand provides a great degree of mobility in that it is laterally adjustable and may be moved laterally within the area to any desired position and due to the means I employ for adjustably mounting the rods at selective points in close proximity to each other on said rods I am enabled to provide a large amount of flexibility in the adjustments of the lines of printing from each other. I also preferably so construct the rods as to resiliently grip the cards therein and thereby provide an additional feature of making it possible to overc inFig. 2.

lap the cards to provide diphthongs or-to compensate for the irregularities that normally occur in printing certain letters.

A further feature of myinvention relates to 5 the improvements I employ in making up the films for use in the manufacture of printing plates, which may be then made therefrom in the usual manner, my invention specifically relating to the improved method and apparatus for assembling the type insignia. or figures to make up the films from which the master plates may be readily made.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of embodiments thereof, such as are shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the camera and tunnel I employ in the pre-. ferredembodiment of my invention with the tunnel partially broken away to show the means I employ for supporting the opaque figures within said tunnel and in front of the light source.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved supporting stand and means andv cards made up to provide the form for a bank check.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken transversely of the supporting stand base along the line3-3 of Fig. 2.

v ..Fig. 4 isanenlhr dmfr mlt elcvah9n ianna-L.J.mayif desired as shown in Fig. 8 additionally ticular post and rod end as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the post shown in Fig. 4..

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line t-S of Fig. 4. 4

Fig. '7 is. a perspective view illustrating a portion of my preferred embodiment of rod with cards suitably mounted thereon employing transparent cards.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 7, il- 46 lustrating a different type of translucent card.

fig. 9 illustrates how the cards may be overlapped within my improved embodiment of supporting rod to more correctlyspace for printing.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of rod and card in which each card is provided with a hook at the upper end for suspension on a supporting rod.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the type of card provided with suspension hooks shown in Fig. 10.

Fig.12 is a view of a negative made from the figures set up as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 shows cards employed in a modification of my invention, in which the opaque portion thereof is dusted with silver or suitable other light reflecting material.

Fig. 14 is a plan view, for making a reverse type of card from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2,

of the camera and tunnel, the tiumel being partially broken away to show how with this method of employing my invention the light source is located infront of the light reflecting opaque figures and a dark background may be inserted behind, thus making the figures appear light on a dark background, the reverse of what happens sitized surface which may receive a pictorial impression and having a suitable lens 22 mounted on the front thereof. A suitable tunnel 24 is provided in front of the lens. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 5 I desire to provide black type on a white background. As stated hitherto I provide opaque figures 26 adapted to be suitably mounted within a transparent area 28. In my preferred embodiment the opaque figures are mounted on the transparent cards 36. Suitable supporting means 32 preferably comprising a base 34 with supportin: posts 36 are provided on which may be adjustably mounted'the transparent'rods 38. The transparent rods are adapted to be adjustably mounted longitudinally on the posts 36 and adapted to support centrally thereof orwithin the transparent area 26 the cards 30.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 adapted to produce the printing shown in Fig. 12, namely,-of 'a black type on a white background, the light source 42 is preferably mounted in rear of the transparent area 28 or supporting means 32. In order that there may be no sharp surfaces for the direct reflection of light I preferably provide the light diffusing screen 44, which preferably consists of translucent material in front of the light source 42 and make the background of the cards themselves of translucent material. This will successfully filter out any direct reflection either from the light source or. angles in the cards or rods themselves.

In the embodiment of my. invention shown in Figs. 13-15, however,I am enabled by a slight variation in the position of the light source and with the addition of an opaque screen to provide printed matter of a reverse type from that provided in Fig. 2 and shown in Fig. 12, namely, a white or light type on a dark background in the ultimate product. For this purpose the cards 36 are suitably provided with the opaque figures 26 and the opaque figures 26 are dusted while still wet with light reflecting material 50 such as silver 45 to render portions of the figures themselves actu ally light reflecting. These same figures, 'of course, if desired may be usedin the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4 where the light comes from the rear and where they will show up there as black on a light background. Thus when the light is from the front they will appear as light on a black background and when the light is in back of them they will appear as black on a. light background. Thus when the light is in front of 5 them they will refiect light and in this embodiment of my invention I locate the light source 44 which may comprise in this instance a standard incandescent lamp in front of the supporting means 32 and opaque figures 26 within the transparent area 26 as shown more particularly-in Figs. 14 and 15. In this instance I also supplementally provide the dark background, such as the opaque screen 52 in rear of said transparent Fig. 15 is a perspective view generally similar to Fig. l employing the method of my invention illustrated in Fig. 14 to provide the reverse type from that shown in Fig. 2.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 2!! generally indicates a camera adapted to enclose a suitable film, plate, or other sensitized medium mounted therein and I employ the word film 75 broadly to include the printing plate or any senare'a'28' and inasmuch asthe figures 26 are light reflecting, due to the presence of the silver or other light reflecting material, it is obvious that they will reflectthe light source I in front of them through the lens and on to the sensitized medium within the camera 26, thus providing the reverse of what is shown in l2, namely, light figures on a dark background in the ultimate product. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the light source may comprise a Cooper-Hewitt lamp, or any lamp suitable for giving sufilcient light to provide a light background and project images of the dark figures on to the negative.

My preferred construction of stand for supporting the transparent rods 38, which in turn supports the opaque figures 26 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 2 to 6. Such a stand includes the rigid base 34 having the rigid supporting posts 36 individually laterally adjustable thereon. In my preferred embodiment the rigid base 34 is provided with the longitudinal channel 54 therein and the side plates 56 project laterally over the sides of said channel 54 to leave a slit 58 in the center portion thereof. The base members 60 are provided which are laterally slidable within said channel 54. The supporting posts 36 project upwardly from said bases 60 through the slit 58 and I also provide projecting upwardly through said slit the threaded clamping bolts 62. In order to clamp the base portions 60 to the base member 34, I preferably provide washer means 64 mounted on said bolts and nut means 66 threaded on top of said bolts to lock the bases in any desired set position by clamping the washers 64 on top of the side plates 56. It is obvious, however, that other types of laterally adjustable posts 36 and other types of means to suitably clamp them to the rigid base 34 may be employed without departing from my invention.

As stated hitherto, I provide the transverse transparent cross rods 38 for supporting the lines of individual printed matter or opaque figures 26 in alignment on said stand 32 and I provide means to make the individual rods 38 vertically adjustable on said posts 36 so that the distance between lines of type may be suitably varied. For this purpose I provide the complemental vertical rows in my preferred embodiment two of aligned transverse horizontal slits 10 in each of said posts 36. I also provide the Ushaped hook members 12 having bases 14 of slightly greater length than said slits 10 extending through said slits l0 and having upwardly projecting front and rear U- walls 16 and '18 respectively. I also provide the spring means abutting the rear U-walls 18 and post rear wall 82 to normally urge each U- shaped member 12 inwards to cause the front U- wall 16 thereof to abut the front wall 84 of said post and to resiliently clamp a rod 38 between said post front wall 84 and Ushaped member front wall 16 to secure said rod 38 to said posts 36 against lateral movement thereon. As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, I provide a plurality of vertical rows of Ushaped members '12 on each post with one Ushaped member on each post being aligned with another on the opposite post. In my preferred embodiment I preferably provide two lines of vertical rows of Ushaped members on each post located at alternate distances or staggered in relation to each other so as to provide a large plurality of positions for the rods on said posts and if. desired as shown in Fig. 4 the respective Ushaped members may be numbered as at 13 to insure that the proper Ushaped members on each respective post will be employed to bring the lines of type in accurate alignment. It is thus obvious that whatever type of transparent rods may be employed that the stand itself is provided with supporting posts 36 having free adjustable lateral movement and they may be locked in any desired position and the supporting transparent rods or other means for lines of type may be adjustably vertically varied or spaced in relation to each other by changing their points of support on the various sets of hooks. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2-10 the rods are rovided with the main rear portion or wall 83, the base portion 85 secured-to the front of the lower edge thereof and the rearwardly bent resilient front portion 81 constructed out of celluloid or other resilient type of material and provided with the bends projecting rearwardly thereof so as to resiliently bind a transparent card 30 between the front portion 84 and the front surface of the rod main wall 83. As the front portions 81 are made resilient, it is obvious that if desired as shown in Fig. 9 two adjacent cards 30 may be overlapped to provide for inherent irregularities in the spacing of printed members, or tilted to make diphthongs, or other irregular features as also shown therein. With this feature of adjustability for permitting the overlapping of the cards, it is obvious that irregular spacing in printed .matter may be readily overcome as in T A, Fig. 9. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 and 11 the cards 30 are provided with the transparent hook portions 96, which may then be directly hooked upon the upper surfaces of the fiat rods 38 shown therein. In operation the lines of type are set up from a plurality of alphabets or other figures each mounted on the individual cards 30 as shown in Fig. 2. If desired certain of the cards 30 may contain dollar signs or a plurality of words thereon, such as the card 30, which includes the words Pay to the order of. If desired also certain of the cards may consist of irregular figures, such as the frame 30" added up to enclose a check as is usual in check borders. In place of alphabets or numbers it is obvious that any other type of figures which is desired to print may be employed. The entire device is set up as shown in Fig. 2, or Fig. 14, the negative taken thereof, the suitable printing plate made from the negative in the usual manner and the ultimate check is produced therefrom as shown at I00 in Fig. 12. It is apparent therefore that instead of taking the time necessary to draw these irregular figures or numbers and take photographs of them preparatory to making up the master printing plate, it is obvious that the desired type figures or insignia may be quickly set up by an unskilled worker from a plurality of alphabets with the desired lateral and vertical spacing between types and lines in a very short period of timeenabling the negative thereof to.

be made, which may be employed to make up the printing plate in any one of the usual manners.

It is apparent therefore that I have provided not only a novel method of preparing negatives for use in the manufacture of printing plates, but also that I have provided a novel combination of apparatuses for this purpose and specifically a novel type of opaque figures and supporting means therefor, which may be readily employed either to produce a straight black type on a light background or a reverse light type on a black background.

It is understood that my invention is not limited gitudinal channel therein and side plates pro- Jecting laterally over the sides of said channel to leave a slit in the center portion thereof, base members laterally slidable within said channel having supporting posts and bolts projecting upwardly therefrom through said slit, washer means mounted on said bolts, nut means mounted on said bolts to clamp said washer means against said side plates to adjustably lock the post bases "in any desired set position, transparent rods hava ing rear portion, rearwardly bent resilient front portions and base portions joining the lower portions oi said front and rear portions together, said posts having complementary vertical rows of sets of aligned transverse slits therein, U-shaped hook members having bases of slightly greater length than said slits extending through said slits having upwardly projecting front and rear U-walls and spring means abutting each of said rear U-walls and rear post wall to normally urge said front U-walls against said front post wall and .to resiliently clamp said rods against the front wall oi said posts, the outer iront walls of aligned sets of hooks having similar identifying insignia thereon.

12. In a device for making master printing plates, in combination, a stand having a rigid base, supporting posts individually laterally adjustable thereon, transparent rods, said posts the outer front walls of aligned sets of hooks having similar'identifying insignia thereon.

13. In a device for making master printing plates, in combination, a stand having a rigid base, supporting posts individually laterally ad- ,justable thereon, transparent rods, said posts having complementary vertical rows of sets of aligned transverse slits therein, U-shaped hook members having bases of slightly greater length than said slits extending through said slits having upwardly projecting front and rear U-walls and spring means abutting each of said rear U walls and rear post wall to normally urge said front U-wall against said front post wall and to resiliently clamp said rods against the front wall of said posts.

14. In a device for making master printing plates, in combination, a stand having a rigid base, supporting posts thereon and transparent rods adapted to be selectively mounted on said z posts having main rear portions, rearwardly bent resilient front portions andbase portions joining the lower portions of said front and rear portions together, and transparent cards having opaque figures thereon adapted to be resiliently mounted on said rod bases and be resiliently retained in position between the iront and rear portions thereof.

15. In a device for making master printing plates, in combination, a stand having a rigid base, supporting posts thereon and transparent rods adapted to be selectively mounted on said posts and transparent cards having opaque fig ures th'ereon having hooks on the upper end thereof for hanging on said transparent rods.

HERBERT W. HETHERINGTON. 

